The Water Wars to Come

Setting religious wars aside, it is probably safe to say the wars started during the Industrial Revolution and beyond have been over access to fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas, and coal. So, want happens should the USA set the world price of oil at a reasonable price for all nations engaged in peaceful world trade? With oil removed as a cause for war, what on earth will humankind use for a cause for war?

Short answer: Water, which more than any other drink has guided the course of human history.

Humans can live for a week without food. But, without water, Humans can live for only a few days.

Indeed, it is possible to trace World History in terms of water, whether consumed plain or in the form of beer, wine, strong spirits, coffee, tea, and soda.

This is made abundantly clear in A History of the World in Six Glasses, by Tom Standage, 2007.

If water fell evenly and abundantly where it is needed by Humankind, water would not be a problem. But, as everyone knows, water can fall upon the just and the unjust and vice- versa.

Moreover, it is a fact that the developed nations do a much better job of managing whatever water Nature drops upon them than the developing nations.

Ever since the advent of cities, the proper disposal of human waste and other pollutants has been the key to human longevity. In fact, 80 percent of diseases can be linked to water-borne causes. Sadly, about twenty percent of the world's population do not have access to safe drinking water.

We, in the developed nations, drink water from the tap without care. In fact, we are so potable water wealthy that we can show off our water wealth by putting tap water into designer bottles designed to impress one and all. We humans do not drink as much water as we should, so however we obtain potable water should not be discouraged, even though bottled water is more expensive than gasoline at the pump.

By the way, Israel fought a "Water War" in 1964 when Syria built diversion canals to reroute the Jordan River away from Israel which rightly bombed the canals.

When five Arab armies attacked Israel in 1967, Israel not only survived but occupied the headwaters of the Jordan River. And does so to this day.

Water is a limited natural resource,. Especially, in Africa and the Middle East. Ergo: that is where the Water Wars of the future are most likely to break out.

Pray the developing nations get their water act together. Meanwhile, lift a cup or glass to your lips and thank Almighty God that so many of us can drink safely from the tap.

(c) 2025. William Hamilton.